Each year, the GLOBE Foundation recognizes the commitment of extraordinary Canadian companies and industry groups who have managed to balance competitive business strategies and sustainable development with the GLOBE Awards for Environmental Excellence. Considered to be the most high-profile national awards series of its type, the GLOBE Awards are judged by a panel of experts recognized in the Canadian business community.

This year, Elena Jusenlijska, PowerBarr's Chief Spark Plug, was one of the 3 finalists in the Next Gen Entrepreneur Award. Read More...

Elena at the solar factory working on a PowerBarr build.

motionball for special olympics phones powered by solar

February 7, 2014

motionball is a not-for-profit organization that builds awareness and raises funds for the Special Olympics Canada Foundation (SOCF), targeting a "next generation" of supporters - Canada's professional crowd who are not defined by their age but rather their mind-set.

Interested in PowerBarr for your events, office, or community space. Book a rental today. Charge Station product page.

Solar charging phones late into the evening at motionball.

University of Toronto Sustainable Engineers Association Charged Up On PowerBarr

February 1, 2014

Engineering students, faculty and speakers get charged up on PowerBarr while discussing the potential of solar and stored renewable energy. As engineering students could appreciate, the potential, as well as the challenges of providing solar power in a distributed small scale, autonomous mode like PowerBarr provides a great deal of food for thought. Other projects in the University are researching the use of solar photovoltaics for air quality measurement and testing the best battery chemistries for storing renewable energy. During the conference PowerBarr initiated potential collaborations that may help determine the ideal solar panels for ambient light conditions and cost effective reliable lithium ion battery systems.

Interested in PowerBarr for your events, office, or community space. Book a rental today. Charge Station product page.

John Wilson and Colin Campbell discuss PowerBarr with University of Toronto Engineers. Photo Credit: Emily Miao

Kickstarter Success! PowerBarr to be built for public access in Toronto

January 16, 2014

PowerBarr raises $7,000 to fund the design, development, build and deployment of two PowerBarr ArGON solar charge station units for public free use in Toronto. See Kickstarter for all the details and stay tuned for updates on our first public deployments coming soon.

Interested in PowerBarr for your events, office, or community space. Learn more on our Charge Station product page.

See the first PowerBarr ArGON prototype demo in this video that explains how solar charge stations work.

BEYOND GREEN PODCAST: POWERBARR AND THE FUTURE OF ENERGY GENERATION

December 17, 2013

In this podcast we discuss the Beyond Green conference, what PowerBarr is, where it hopes to go as well as how it can act as a beginning for a more sustainable energy grid in the future. It also includes discussion of the maker community and how becoming a creator can make you more sustainable. PowerBarr is also currently in the process of running a Kickstarter and every donation counts!

A new solar powered changing station by PowerBarr looks to hit the streets of Toronto in 2014, and they need your help! With more than two years of R&D, the backbone of PowerBarr's technology is the high efficiency console, an integrated approach that is as simple as a solar calculator but on a bigger scale. PowerBarr has the ability to change the way we charge all of our devices and finally make a switch to renewable power!

You can help make this possible! Support PowerBarr as they launch their Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to build the four units to be available for use in various locations across the Toronto, free to use for anyone whose mobile device needs recharging!

The sense of connection with others that people experience when using a PowerBarr in public spaces is worth mentioning. "We've seen a rise in demand for charging stations with solutions starting to be available in the marketplace, but what's missing is a new, innovative way to keep peoples connected that tackling the environmental issues at the same time" said Jusenlijska, one of the co-founders.

PowerBarr doesn't just stop at helping people stay connected. It reduces the need for traditional, grid-connected power by providing a renewable energy source of electricity completely independent of the grid. To top it all off, the PowerBarr lets everyone actually touch, feel and experience renewable power at their fingertips, bursting the myth of renewable energy being inaccessible for most.

PowerBarr aspires to be an act of compassion and connection, and re-establish society's foundation for success by being a part of creating more connected and caring communities. The dynamic Toronto-based entrepreneurs behind PowerBarr includes Colin Campbell, John Wilson, Lorne Spence and Elena Jusenlijska. With PowerBarr stations scattered throughout town, you'll soon be able to charge your devices on the go and take advantage of a new cool, sustainable option.

Help Kickstart this today. Visit www.kickstarter.com to learn more about PowerBarr's journey and how you can support this great initiative .

Getting to 100% renewable energy requires the combination of renewables and energy storage. PowerBarr is the story of people power, crowd funding, and an open approach to the vision of 100% renewable energy. PowerBarr enables the use of renewable, decentalized, autonomous solar energy to power your mobile devices today.

Sporting a new and improved battery system PowerBarr Beta was a hit at Eco-Chase in downtown Toronto. Despite little but ambient indoor lighting the new light weight battery included now in the console, was able to provide four charge ports for the entire six hour event. Some teams towards the end of the day were able to resurrect their dead phones sufficient to get their final photo submissions transferred in order to finish the race.

Elena Jusenlijska, one of the founders of PowerBarr, organized the Eco-Chase event. With T.O's Eco-Chase, teams are challenged to learn about Toronto's green projects, while also learning how to play and learn together. Increasingly, businesses are looking for ways to help their employees refine themselves and be "well oiled" to function collaboratively. Haven't we all experienced the staff outings at the bowling alley or go-kart tracks? The Amazing Race formula has proven to be a winner in this regard. The increasing trend to make businesses Eco-friendly, makes T.O's Eco-Chase the perfect combination.

In six short weeks PowerBarr has raised $2,000 from enthusiastic and supportive funders. In addition to providing monetary support, funders have offered to volunteer their time, suggested ideas, provided prospects, and helped sell the idea to their community.

Colin Campbell, John Wilson and Elena Jusenlijska, the founders of PowerBarr, thank everyone who came out or went online to support us during this funding campaign. PowerBarr is about giving power to the people and with our growing support network the dream is becoming a reality. Stay tuned for release of PowerBarr. If you've got an event or location that needs power to charge mobile phones and tablets, let us know. PowerBarr is the perfect way to charge up your summer event. Click here to get some solar charging!

To view the complete National Crowdfunding Association of Canada video interview click here.

Startup Event: PowerBarr success with crowdsource support and funding event at Cafe Belong

April 15, 2013

Excited crowd tries out PowerBarr Beta at Cafe Belong. Power in the community could be felt as everyone shared their ideas, suggestions, feedback, and support, making for a successful startup event.

Colin Campbell, John Wilson and Elena Jusenlijska thanked their growing local support base. Announced were plans for the first production ready version of PowerBarr to be launched at a corporate customer and independent coffee house. Stay tuned for more exciting developments. Thanks to all who came came out and supported us. We'd like to add a special thanks to our growing number of sponsors and volunteers. Click here to support us and here to volunteer.

"67% of smartphone users have experienced not having access to a charger when they needed one while out. And 71% of the people who experienced this problem left their phone uncharged.

Created by a trio of Green entrepreneurs, Colin Campbell, John Wilson and Elena Jusenlijska, the company is currently prototyping their free, renewable charging station at Cafe Belong in the Evergreen Brickworks. They are holding a funding event today at this location to raise enough capital to be able to roll-out the Powerbarr to 4-5 other locations in Toronto and KW in order to continue gaining necessary market data before formally launching the product later this year."

Today PowerBarr annouced a feedback, support and funding event. You are invited to join us at Evergreen Brick Works to try out PowerBarr with a free solar charge for your phone or tablet. We'll be asking for your feedback, thoughts and ideas on the current prototype to help us develop the next release. Our goal for the evening is to raise $5,000 (with a stretch goal of $10,000) to test new markets and prototype the next versions of PowerBarr. We hope you can make it! Space is limited, so please RSVP - here. If you are unable to attend, there is also an option to support our funding efforts - here.

Today PowerBarr Beta was installed for public testing and feedback at Cafe Belong. You are invited to come on down to Evergreen Brick Works to get a free solar charge for your phone or tablet. Don't forget to bring your USB cable. Stay tuned for exciting event announcements coming soon.

RE-CHARGING THE WORLD ONE BARR AT A TIME.

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